Aerial view of Wudang Mountain
Wudang Mountain, known in ancient times as “Taihe Mountain,” is located in the Hubei Province, Shiyan City, and boasts numerous accolades including World Cultural Heritage Site, National 5A Tourist Attraction, National Key Scenic Area, Daoist Holy Land, birthplace of Tai Chi, National Forest Park, National Geopark, Cross-Straits Exchange Base, one of China's Seven Great Wonders, one of the Top Ten Summer Retreats in China, one of the Ten Most Recommended Scenic Areas for China to Recommend to the World, one of Europe's Favorite Ten Chinese Scenic Spots, and one of the Top Ten Driving Tour Brands in China.
The World's First Immortal Mountain: Wudang Mountain
Wudang's scenic attractions are the finest under heaven! Wudang Mountain is renowned worldwide for its spectacular natural landscapes, extensive ancient architectural complexes, the profound Daoist culture, and the vast Wudang martial arts. It is hailed as “The Unparalleled Holy Land, The World's First Immortal Mountain.” UNESCO expert Kosla said, “Wudang Mountain is one of the most beautiful places in the world because it integrates ancient wisdom, historical architecture, and natural aesthetics.” After his visit, UNESCO expert Sumintaga praised, “China's great history still lingers in Wudang Mountain.” Architectural Society Vice President Yang Tingbao lauded the ancient architecture of Wudang Mountain as “Heaven on Earth, surpassing the Five Great Mountains.”
Tai Chi Lake Water Tour
Here lies the world's largest religious architectural complex (spanning 140 miles), Asia's largest artificial lake – Tai Chi Lake (source of water for the central route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project); here also stands the world's most magnificent natural wonder – the 72 Peaks Bowing to the Grand Summit, and the world's most sacred humanistic marvel – Heaven-Created Xuanwu. It is hailed as “One of the Most Beautiful Places in the World” and referred to as “Great Mountain,” a place of grand mountains, grand waters, and grand culture, mysterious, magical, and holy!
The Wudang fairyland is mysterious and ethereal; Wudang martial arts are subtle and agile; Wudang culture is the soul of China, and Wudang Mountain is “Spiritual.”
Wudang Mountain Landscape
Six hundred years ago, “Build the Forbidden City in the North, and repair Wudang Mountain in the South,” as a royal family temple, the ancient architectural complex of Wudang Mountain and Beijing's Forbidden City (the Imperial Palace) were two major national projects initiated simultaneously during the early Ming Dynasty. They share similar standards, yet the scale and construction difficulty of Wudang Mountain far exceed that of the Forbidden City. “Every five li there is a hermitage, every ten li a palace, red walls and green tiles in sight,” this magnificent landscape hanging on the cliffs of the Qin and Ba mountains – the ancient architectural complex of Wudang Mountain (9 palaces, 9 temples, 36 nunneries, 72 cliff temples, 39 bridges, 12 pavilions, etc., 33 Daoist architectural groups covering an area of 1.6 million square meters) was later glorified as the “Palace in the Clouds” and echoed with the Forbidden City thousands of miles away, both selected as seven wonders of ancient Chinese architecture. Today, the clear waters of Tai Chi Lake at the foot of Wudang Mountain nourish Beijing through the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, initiating a new cycle in history.
Golden Pavilion
Golden Pavilion: The world's largest extant gilded copper structure, also known as “Taihe Palace,” is commonly referred to as the “Golden Summit” due to its location atop the highest peak of Wudang Mountain, Tianzhu Peak. It is the symbol of Wudang's fairyland and the essence of Wudang tourism. Ascend the Golden Summit to witness the unique “mountains bowing from all directions” grandeur, explore the mysteries of Wudang's “Eight Scenes of Movement and Stillness,” feel the sanctity of “Heaven-Created Xuanwu,” and marvel at the wonders of Wudang Daoism.
Purple Dawn Palace
Purple Dawn Palace: One of the best-preserved palaces on Wudang Mountain, backed by Flag Peak, surrounded by mountainous terrain naturally forming a pattern of two dragons playing with a pearl, offering excellent ecological conditions. In ancient times, it was acclaimed as a “feng shui treasure land,” the primary dwelling and cultivation ground for Daoists, and the residence of the Wudang Daoist Association. It is also the main venue for grand Daoist ceremonies on significant festivals such as March 3rd and September 9th. A must-visit for those seeking Daoist wisdom and longevity.
South Cliff Autumn Colors
South Cliff: The most beautiful rock formation among the thirty-six cliffs of Wudang Mountain, the place where Lord Zhenwu attained enlightenment and ascended to heaven. The buildings here embody the principle of “Dao follows nature,” harmoniously coexisting with the environment. Among them, the South Cliff Palace clings to the cliff above and overlooks the abyss below, creating the spectacle of a “cliff-hanging palace.” Standing here, the scene is breathtaking. Here you will find China's largest stone hall, as well as the “world's first incense burner” known as the “Dragon Head Incense Burner,” which attracts pilgrims from around the country; the “Prosperity, Longevity, Health, and Peace” cliff carvings make tourists who pursue a full life linger.
Prince Slope
Prince Slope: Also known as Fu Zhen Temple, named after young Lord Zhenwu's cultivation here. With beautiful surroundings, the architectural design and layout are ingenious, staggered in height and complementing each other, creating unique sights such as the “Nine-Turn Yellow River Wall,” “Twelve Beams on One Pillar,” “Four Gates in a Li,” and “Ten Li Fragrant Osmanthus,” full of delightful surprises. The Prince Reading Hall, situated at the highest point, can be considered a sacred site for ancient scholars to worship and is also one of the “spiritual” places in Wudang.
Leisure Valley
Leisure Valley: Located near Prince Slope, it is an excellent eco-tourist destination within Wudang Mountain for close encounters with water. There is a 10-kilometer hiking trail leading directly to Zhongguan of Qiongtai (the starting point of the Golden Summit hiking trail and the lower station of the cable car). Along the way, there are boardwalks, suspension bridges, streams, cliff temples, macaques, exotic flowers, and peculiar rocks, making it a rare hiking route. Free Wudang martial arts performances often take place at Longquan Temple at the entrance of the valley, and it also offers monkey theater, pleasure boats, tea ceremony, farmhouses, and other activities, popular among tourists.
Jade Void Palace
Jade Void Palace: Commonly known as “Old Camp Palace,” located in the urban area of Wudang Mountain, it served as the main camp for the large-scale restoration of Wudang during the Ming Dynasty and is the largest existing palace in the Wudang ancient architectural complex, covering almost the entire current urban area. After five years of protective restoration, it was opened free of charge to tourists in 2012. Numerous enthusiasts of Wudang martial arts and “foreign disciples” (foreign students) often practice Tai Chi health exercises here, becoming a prominent sight at the foot of Wudang Mountain.
Encounter True Palace
Encounter True Palace: The abode of the legendary Wudang Daoist figure and Wudang martial arts patriarch – Zhang Sanfeng, the “Taoist Ancestral Court of Tai Chi” in the hearts of believers. Emperor Zhu Di of the Ming Dynasty greatly admired Zhang Sanfeng but could never meet him. He built this palace, the only one in Chinese history constructed for a Daoist, at the place where he had practiced, hoping that he would return to see him. After the world-record-breaking South-to-North Water Diversion cultural relics lifting and reconstruction project, the most valuable structures such as the mountain gate and palace gate have been “raised” by 15 meters on-site. Later reconstruction will combine cutting-edge audio-visual special effects to restore its former glory and dignity.
Five Dragons Palace
Five Dragons Palace: One of the most spiritually effective places on ancient Wudang Mountain. During the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin sent people to pray for rain here, which was answered, leading to the construction of the “Five Dragons Shrine,” marking the beginning of the construction history of Wudang Mountain's ancient architecture. Here is enshrined the largest statue of Lord Zhenwu on Wudang Mountain, along with the miraculous “Five Dragons Well,” and the newly constructed Five Dragons Grand Canyon hiking trail (Western Divine Path) leads directly to the South Cliff scenic area. In the future, it will be developed into an eco-resort tourist destination integrating sightseeing, leisure, vacation, and health preservation.
Wudang Museum
Wudang Museum: A second-class national museum and China's only professional Daoist museum, with 70% of its collection classified as first-grade national cultural relics. Located in the cultural square of the Wudang Mountain urban area, it is open to the public free of charge. The exhibition hall covers 4,418.7 square meters, divided into three floors and eight halls. Among them, the “Daoist Culture Exhibition” won the “Best Production Award” at the Eighth National Museum Top Ten Display and Exhibition Elite Selection Activity and is well worth a visit. (Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday)
Wudang Mountain Geological Museum
Wudang Mountain Geological Museum: An integral part of the Wudang Mountain National Geopark (one of China's most beautiful geological parks), located in the Tai Chi Lake New District, its exterior is modern, resembling a white egret spreading its wings. Composed of the Wudang Rise Hall, Dinosaur World Exhibition Hall, Science Popularization Film and Television Museum, Earth Mysteries Exhibition Hall, Exhibition Hall, etc., it features the most advanced multimedia audio-visual technology and modern exhibition methods. Since its completion and opening to the public for free in 2012, it has become a new landmark for tourism integrating science popularization, education, exhibition, and sightseeing.
Grand Tai Chi Martial Arts Show “Dreamy Wudang”
Grand Tai Chi Martial Arts Show “Dreamy Wudang”: North Shaolin, South Wudang, Chinese martial arts have a long and rich history. As a national Wudang martial arts performance base, “Dreamy Wudang” is a show you must see once in your lifetime! Seek Dao in Wudang, comprehend the vastness of the principle that “Dao follows nature,” search for the dream of Tai Chi, and savor the essence of civilization that “heaven and man are one.” “Dreamy Wudang” was created by Chen Weia's team, the deputy director-general of the Beijing Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the chief director of the Guangzhou Asian Games, and famous choreographer. The music was composed by Zhao Jiping, chairman of the Chinese Musicians Association and renowned composer. The main cast consists of the Wudang Kung Fu Troupe, with a deep foundation in Wudang kung fu skills, who have visited over 30 countries. Led by 16 world martial arts champions and national-level Tai Chi masters, more than 300 performers take the stage. In the 70-minute performance, rich in “Tai Chi Chan” meaning, classic representations of Wudang martial arts such as Tai Chi, Tai Chi Sword, Xingyi Quan, Bagua Zhang, Two-Finger Meditation, and others are presented against the backdrop of Wudang Mountain's beautiful and majestic natural and cultural landscapes, and numerous Tai Chi elements such as Tai Chi, Bagua, and whisk, transporting you into a transcendent, fantastical Tai Chi world. (Li Fengsen photo series)